Snatching pole away from Piastri at his home track is “bittersweet” for Norris · F1 · RaceFans

Lando Norris admitted he felt bad for his team mate after taking pole position off him at his home track.

Oscar Piastri held provisional pole position after his final run in Q3. However Norris beat him time moments later, by less than a tenth of a second.

Piastri, who will start alongside Norris in second place, would have become the first Australian ever to take pole position for him home race. Norris said he was “pretty sad” to take it away from him.

“I’d say it’s bittersweet because I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t want to upset people,” said Norris. “But it’s my job. It’s what I get paid to do, it’s what’s written in my contract and I have to go out and drive as quick as I can.”

The crowd in Melbourne – Piastri’s home city – erupted in cheers when he set the fastest time, but quietened when Norris took it off him.

“It’s difficult because every country backs their drivers,” said Norris. “It’s the same for Max [Verstappen] in Zandvoort and Spa, Austria – all of those ones. And it’s the same for me at Silverstone. And Belgium actually, I’ll claim that one, and therefore, kind of, the Netherlands too.

“At the end of the day, my job is to drive as quickly as I can. If that’s pole, then that’s pole. I’m happy I did my job.

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“But I do want to make it out of Australia safely! The fans have always been very supportive of me too. I’ve had an Australian team mate for quite a while now, so I’ve got used to it. They do cheer me on as well. I know they cheer Oscar on a lot more, but that’s expected and I appreciate the support I do get.”

This is Piastri’s third grand prix at home and his first since becoming a grand prix winner last year. Despite the added interest of it being the first round of the championship, Piastri said “this is the most relaxed I’ve been at my home race.”

“The first two years, especially the first year I came here, it was an overwhelming experience,” he explained. “Even last year, it was still a pretty big experience.

“This year, I’ve been able to enjoy it more. Maybe because I’m more confident in the car under me, but I’ve really been enjoying it and enjoying the support.

“I feel like it’s gone up a little since last year as well. It’s amazing what happens when you start winning stuff. It’s great to have all the home support and I really appreciate it.”

He still has a chance to become the first driver to win his home race tomorrow. “It would be really special to achieve,” said Piastri. “I’m not setting my sights too firmly on that, obviously. We’ve got a lot of work to do to maximise the race tomorrow and see what the weather does first.

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“But it would be very special. I don’t really have another way of answering that — it would mean a lot. To have an Aussie on the podium – that hasn’t been done in a while, so that would be a good start.

“If I can stand on the top step, I’ll do everything I can to achieve that. Putting national pride aside, I want to do it for myself as well. I’ll try my best, obviously.”